Sunday, December 20, 2009

algerbra vs. calculus

1. Well the difference between finding the limmit of a function at x=c and plugging in the number x=c is really nothing if you are finding the limit of a continuous function becasuse you will either way get the same answer, but when the function is discontinous it REALLY MATTERS.
When its a discontinous function you dont plug in the number x=c because when the function is discontinuous at a certain point, or otherwise has a jump, an empty hole(removeable discontinuity), or infinite discontinuity, you wont just be able to plug in (c) because you will get an exact output, and if the function is discontinuous there will be no exact output, thats why you find the limit of x=c becasue that will give you a y value as x=c.

2. Finding the slope and the derivative is basically the same thing because they both give you the rat at which the graph is moving. They are different because slopes are mostly used for lines and derivatives are used for for complicated functions, one example is x^3. A tangent line and a secant line is required to find the derevative of a function, thats why you can not find the derivative of a line. A tangent line is a line at the function at one point, and a secant line is a line on the graph at 2 points.
CAUTION:
THE EXPLANATION AT THE TOP MAY BE A LITTLE CONFUSING, THE WRITER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY HEAD ACES, OR NAUTIOUS SYMPTOMS.
lol j/k :D

Thursday, December 10, 2009

LIMITS!!

1.Horizontal asymptotes
horizontal asymptotes is something i dont really get, i mean sometimes i know because i know how the graph looks like but what do i do when i dont know how it looks like? I mean if i use my calculator i could find it but im not allowed to in tests. In the last freeee response in the test i had trouble in the part where it said to state the horizontal asymptote. :-/
2. Behavior of f(x) to the left and to the right of the asymptote
When it comes to end behavior models i completely understand how to find them, but when it asks to describe to describing the behavior graphically of f(x) to the left and the right is when i get stuck :0
3.CONTINUITY AND DISCONTINUITY
ok, discontinuity and discontinuity i sometimes feel safe about, but most of the time i forget what to do or i just go blank. If anyone has an easy way to remember what this is PLEASE tell me D: